Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an applicator comprising a cosmetic product on human keratin fibers, comprising:
         a gripping handle ( 12 ), said handle extending substantially according to a first main axis ( 14 ),   an application rod ( 36 ), with a first end ( 40 ) of said application rod being connected to an end of the gripping handle according to the first axis,   a second end of the application rod comprising a heating receiving area ( 50 ), able to receive a support ( 70 ) of a mass ( 72 ) of cosmetic product.       

     The application rod comprises a first ( 42 ) and a second ( 46 ) elbows substantially coplanar, adjacent to one another and arranged between the gripping handle and the receiving area, said two elbows being of opposite convexities,

This invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers, in particular on eyelashes or eyebrows.

A “cosmetic product” means any composition such as defined in directive 93/35/EEC in the Jun. 14, 1993 Council.

More precisely, this invention relates to an applicator comprising a cosmetic product on human keratin fibers, comprising: a gripping handle, said handle extending substantially along a first main axis; and an application rod, with a first end of said application rod being connected to an end of the gripping handle along the first axis, with a second end of the application rod comprising a heating receiving area, with said receiving area extending substantially along a second axis coplanar with the first axis, said receiving area able to receive a support for a mass of cosmetic product.

Such an applicator is for example described in document EP 2 298 115.

In order to prevent the handle from coming into contact with the face during the application of the cosmetic product, it is advantageous to carry out an application rod that comprises a portion included between said handle and the receiving area. The handle is as such separated from the face.

However, when the rod is heating, such a portion must be configured to limit the risks of burns to the face of the user during the application of the product.

Document WO2006/043544 describes a mascara applicator that comprises a non-heating bent rod, extended by a heating applicator.

Moreover, document U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,551 describes an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers, having a bent rod in such a way as to tilt the receiving area with respect to the handle. Such a configuration does however oblige the user to hold the applicator in a manner that is unusual for this type of product, which complicates the makeup operations.

This invention has for purpose to supply an applicator for applying a cosmetic product, optimized in terms of ergonomics and safety.

To this effect, the invention relates to an applicator of the aforementioned type, in which the application rod comprises a first and second substantially coplanar elbows, said two elbows being adjacent to one another and arranged between the gripping handle and the receiving area, said two elbows being of opposite convexities, with the receiving area being configured as such to be arranged closer to the face of a user than the rest of the application rod and the handle.

According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the applicator comprises one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

-   -   the second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis,         said first and second axis being spaced apart by a non-zero         distance on the receiving area;     -   the first and second elbows are substantially arranged in a         plane formed by the first and the second axis;     -   the second axis passes through a first and through a second ends         of the receiving area, and the receiving area has a curvature         between said first and second ends;     -   the curvature of the receiving area has a convexity oriented         towards the first axis;     -   the application rod comprises a heating portion outside of the         receiving zone.     -   the applicator further comprises a unit for applying a cosmetic         product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be         removably attached to the heating receiving area of the         application rod, and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said         support;     -   the applicator comprises a two units for applying a cosmetic         product, with each unit for applying comprising: a support able         to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the         application rod, and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said         support, with the supports and/or masses of cosmetic product of         the two units for applying being different.

The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as a non-restricted example and with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an applicator according to the state of the art;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of an applicator according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of an applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an element of the applicators of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows an applicator 10 according to the state of the art, in particular described in document EP 2 298 115. The applicator 10 comprises a gripping handle 12 extending mainly along a longitudinal axis 14. The applicator 10 further comprises an application rod 16, that extends the handle 12 along the axis 14.

The rod 16 comprises a heating electrical resistance, connected to a source. The heating is for example actuated by means of a switch 17 located on the handle 12.

A unit for applying 18 is removable mounted on the application rode 16. The unit for applying 18 comprises a support 20, for example made of a plastic material, threaded onto an end of the rod 16. The unit for applying 18 further comprises a mass 22 of cosmetic product, carried by the support 20.

FIG. 2 shows, as a detailed view, an applicator 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The applicator 30 is particularly intended to apply a cosmetic product on the eyelashes of a user.

The applicator 30 comprises a gripping handle 12, similar to the handle of the applicator 10 of FIG. 1. The handle 12, shown partially, extends primarily along a first axis 14. The applicator 30 further comprises an application rod 36, comprising an electrical means of heating.

It is considered an orthonormal base (X, Y, Z), with the axis 14 being parallel to the direction X.

The handle 12 contains an autonomous source of energy, for example an electric battery, that makes it possible to supply the means of heating of the rod 36. The heating is for example actuated using a switch located on the handle 12.

The application rod 36 comprises or consists of a heating electrical resistance. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the rod 36 comprises a metal tubular casing 38, for example made of stainless steel, containing an electric insulating core (not shown), said core being traveled through by a resistive electrical conductor (not shown) extending over the entire length of the tube 38.

The heating electrical resistance has for example a rated power between 0.5 and 2 W and makes it possible to reach a temperature greater than 50° C., for example a temperature of 70° C. for an ambient temperature of 20° C.

The rod 36 is substantially contained in a plane (X, Y) and extends the handle 12 along the axis 14. More precisely, the rod comprises a first straight portion 40, extending along the axis 14 from an end of the handle 12. The first portion 40 is adjacent to a second portion 42 in the shape of an elbow, with the rod 36 moving away from the axis 14 on said elbow 42.

A median line 44 is considered describing the trajectory of the rod 36 in the plane (X, Y).

The second bent portion 42 is adjacent to a third portion 46, also bent. The elbows 42, 46 are of opposite convexities, describing the shape of an S. A limit between the second portion 42 and the third portion 46 is marked by a first point of inflection 48 of the median line 44.

Preferably, the second portion 42 and the third portion 46 have radii of curvature that are substantially equal. For example, an average radius of curvature of the second portion 42 is between 75% and 125% of a an average radius of curvature of the third portion 46.

The third portion 46 is adjacent to a fourth portion 50, comprising an end 52 of the rod 36 opposite the handle 12. As shall be detailed in what follows, the fourth portion 50 forms a receiving area of a unit for applying a cosmetic product.

A limit between the third portion 46 and the fourth portion 50 is marked by a second point of inflection 54 of the median line 44. The fourth portion 50 extends substantially along a second axis 56, with the second axis passing through the second point of inflection 54 and through the end 52 of the median line 44.

Preferably, the second axis 56 is substantially parallel to the first axis 14. More preferentially, the second axis 56 and the first axis 14 form an angle less than or equal to 15° in the plane (X, Y).

According to an embodiment, the fourth portion 50 is slightly curved, in such a way as to hug the edge of an eyelid. A suitable radius of curvature for the fourth portion 50 is for example greater than 20 mm.

Preferentially, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a convexity of the fourth portion 50 is oriented towards the first axis 14. The third portion 46 and the fourth portion 50 are then of opposite convexities.

Due to the presence of the elbows 42, 46, the fourth portion/receiving area 50 is separated from the first axis 14, by a minimum non-zero distance 58 according to the direction Y.

FIG. 3 shows, as a detailed view, an applicator 60 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The applicator 60 is similar to the applicator 30 of FIG. 2 and the common elements are designated hereinafter by the same reference numbers.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the applicator 60 comprises a handle 12 and an application rod 36. An end 52 of said rod, opposite the handle 12, is part of a receiving area 50 that can receive a unit for applying a cosmetic product. The receiving area 50 is separated from the axis 14 of the handle 12, by a distance 58 equivalent to that of FIG. 2.

The only difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 resides in the shape of the rod 36 in the plane (X, Y). More precisely, in an embodiment of FIG. 3, the elbows 42, 46 have a radius of curvature that is lower than in the embodiment of FIG. 2. A distance 62 along X between the points of inflection 48, 54 is in particular lower for the applicator 60 than for the applicator 30. The modulation of the radii of curvature of the elbows 42, 46 as such makes it possible to vary a distance between the handle 12 and the receiving area 50.

FIG. 4 shows a unit 68 for applying a cosmetic product, similar to the unit 18 shown in FIG. 1 and described in document EP 2 298 115. The unit for applying 68 is able to be part of an applicator 30 or 60 such as shown in FIG. 2 or in FIG. 3.

The unit for applying 68 extends substantially along a longitudinal axis 69. The unit for applying 68 comprises a support 70 made of plastic and a mass 72 of cosmetic product, carried by the support 70.

The support 70 has the shape of a tubular sleeve, in order to be able to be threaded onto the rod 36 on the level of the receiving area 50. An internal section of the support 70 is substantially complementary with that of a section of the metal casing 38, on the receiving area 50.

Preferably, the support 70 comprises a longitudinal slot 74, which allows said support to be deformed elastically by hugging the shape of the receiving area 50. In this case, an internal section of the support 70 when idle is slightly less than a section of the receiving area 50.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the support 70 is slightly curved in a plane containing the longitudinal axis 69. The support 70 can as such hug the curvature of the receiving area 50 such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The slot 74 is located on the side of the convexity of the curvature.

On the side of the concavity of the curvature, the support 70 comprises a series of transversal ribs 76 that delimit recesses 78. The mass 72 of cosmetic product is secured to the support 70 of the side of said concavity, with the cosmetic product being in particular received in the recesses 78 between the ribs 76.

The cosmetic product forming the mass 72 is for example a makeup composition for eyelashes having a property that varies according to the temperature. Said property is for example a flowing nature, in particular from d_(max)≧ to 5 mm, with d_(max) being determined according to the protocol described in paragraphs [0120] to [0127] of document EP 1 955 610.

The cosmetic product forming the mass 72 is for example a composition comprising at least one reversible polymer that is solid at ambient temperature. The term “solid” designates a product that does not flow under the effect of gravity at 20° C. Preferably, the cosmetic product has a melting temperature greater than or equal to 50° C., for example close to 54° C.

Preferentially, the support 70 carries a mass 72 comprising between 10 mg and 100 mg of product, more preferentially between 20 mg and 50 mg of product, even more preferentially about 30 mg of product. This quantity is in particular suited for a single use, making it possible for example to apply makeup to one or two lashes.

The unit for applying 68 is for example manufactured according to a method of injection molding in two steps, such as described in document WO2011/131907.

A method for using an applicator 30 or 60 such as described hereinabove shall now be described. First of all, a user assembles a unit for applying 68 to the receiving zone 50, by threading in particular the support 70 onto the end 52 of the rod 36. The unit for applying 68 is arranged on the receiving zone 50 in such a way that the mass 72 of cosmetic product is located inside the curvature of said receiving area 50.

The user then presses on the switch 17 of the gripping handle 12, in such a way as to supply with electricity the resistance forming the rod 36. The temperature of the metal temperature 38 increases, provoking the softening or the melting of the mass 72 of cosmetic product.

By holding the applicator 30 or 60 by the handle 12, the user then brings the receiving area 50 closer to the eyelashes to which makeup is to be applied. So that the curvature of the receiving area 50 substantially hugs the shape of the edge of the eyelid, the user positions his eye on the side of the concavity of said receiving area 50, the second axis 56 being substantially arranged perpendicularly to a plane of symmetry of the face. In the FIGS. 2 and 3, such a plane of symmetry is a plane (Y, Z).

In this position, the receiving area 50 is closer to the face of the user than the rest of the rod 36, in particular than the first portion 40 located near the handle 12.

As such, in the case where the rod 36 is heated over its entire length by the electrical resistance of the applicator 30 or 60, the user does not risk burning her nose or the temple with the portion 40, during the application of the cosmetic product on here eyelashes.

In particular, the user can, without the risk of becoming burned, hold the handle 12 substantially perpendicularly to a plan of symmetry of the face. Such a position of the handle is conventional for the application of mascara on the eyelashes and therefore does not force the user to adopt an unusual gesture. On the contrary, with an applicator with a straight application rod, the user should tilt the handle with respect to this conventional position, in order to prevent any contact of a heated area with her face.

The dimensions of the elbows 42 and 46, as well as the distance 58, are in particular chosen in such a way as to make it possible to prevent discomfort with the nose during the use. The first portion 40 is as such separated from the nose during the application of the cosmetic product, while still maintaining the second axis 56 perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the face.

After use, the user easily removes the unit for applying 68 from the rod 36, via an inverse movement from the movement for assembling. In case of need, a new unit for applying 68 is then assembled to the rod 36. Such a change in the unit for applying can be carried out without waiting for the rod 36 to cool.

The applicator 30 or 60 described hereinabove is for example marketed in the form of a kit, comprising on the one hand a unit formed by the handle 12 and the rod 36, and on the other hand one or several units for applying 68.

According to a first alternative, all of the units for applying 68 from the same kit are identical. According to another alternative, two units for applying 68 of the same kit comprise a different support 70 different and/or a different mass 72 of cosmetic product.

Alternatively to the marketing in the form of a kit, the applicator 30 or 60 described hereinabove is marketed in the form of a unit formed by the handle 12 and the rod 36, such as shown in FIG. 2 or in FIG. 3. The units for applying 68 cosmetic product are then marketed separately. 

1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers, comprising: a gripping handle, said handle extending substantially according to a first main axis, an application rod, with a first end of said application rod being connected to an end of the gripping handle according to the first axis, a second end of the application rod comprising a heating receiving area, said receiving area extending substantially according to a second axis coplanar with the first axis, with said receiving area able to receive a support for a mass of cosmetic product, wherein the application rod comprises a first and a second elbows substantially coplanar, said two elbows being adjacent to one another and arranged between the gripping handle and the receiving area, said two elbows being of opposite convexities, the receiving area being as such configured to be arranged closer to the face of a user than the rest of the application rod and than the gripping handle.
 2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis, said first and second axis being spaced apart by a non-zero distance on the receiving area.
 3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elbows are substantially arranged in a plane formed by the first and the second axis.
 4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: the second axis passes through a first and through a second ends of the receiving zone, the receiving area has a curvature between said first and second ends.
 5. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein the curvature of the receiving area has a convexity oriented towards the first axis.
 6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application rod comprises a heating portion outside the receiving area.
 7. The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support.
 8. The applicator according to claim 6, comprising two units for applying a cosmetic product, with each unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod, and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support, the supports and/or the masses of cosmetic product of the two units for applying being different.
 9. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the first and second elbows are substantially arranged in a plane formed by the first and the second axis.
 10. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein: the second axis passes through a first and through a second ends of the receiving zone, the receiving area has a curvature between said first and second ends.
 11. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein: the second axis passes through a first and through a second ends of the receiving zone, the receiving area has a curvature between said first and second ends.
 12. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the application rod comprises a heating portion outside the receiving area.
 13. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein the application rod comprises a heating portion outside the receiving area.
 14. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein the application rod comprises a heating portion outside the receiving area.
 15. The applicator according to claim 5, wherein the application rod comprises a heating portion outside the receiving area.
 16. The applicator according to claim 2, further comprising a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support.
 17. The applicator according to claim 3, further comprising a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support.
 18. The applicator according to claim 4, further comprising a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support.
 19. The applicator according to claim 5, further comprising a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support.
 20. The applicator according to claim 6, further comprising a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support. 